I had been seeing this coconut version of plant-based bacon for years, but didn't make it until recently. I was never a huge fan of bacon, and never craved it. Now that I have this recipe, I think I'm starting to understand the hype.

These bacon bits made with coconut flakes really do have that perfect salty, crispy, smoky, bacon-y flavor, and the fat from the coconut offers that same (greasy) feeling when you take a bite.

The best part? They're inexpensive and super easy to make, and they store well. You can just keep them in the freezer until ready to use, and they will defrost almost instantly! So make a batch, maybe even double it, and keep these little coconut bacon flakes on hand for all the things you will want to sprinkle them on top of - salad, soup, pasta, baked potatoes, mac and cheese, etc!

Here are the ingredients I used, with their link to order on Amazon*. I order a lot of my non-perishables from Amazon or Vitacost because their prices tends to be better than buying from the grocery store.

​Coconut Bacon

Ingredients:
1.5 cups unsweetened coconut flakes
1 TBSP liquid aminos (or tamari)
1 tsp maple syrup
1 tsp liquid smoke
1 tsp olive oil
1 tsp apple cider vinegar
A dash of smoked paprika
​Directions:
Preheat oven to 325° F.
In a large bowl, mix the paprika and liquid ingredients together, then add the coconut flakes. Use your hands to toss, making sure the coconut is totally saturated with flavor. There should be just enough to cover the coconut, without having any leftover liquid.
Spread mixture across a parchment paper lined baking tray. They will bake for about 15 minutes, but need to be tossed every 3-4 minutes. They can go from perfectly crispy to charred in a moment, so pay attention!

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Sprinkle on anything from salads, to baked potatoes, soups, mac and cheese, pasta, etc. Store them in a glass jar and keep in the freezer. When ready to use, just take out from freezer - they will defrost almost instantly!

*This page contains affiliate links, meaning I make a very small percentage if you purchase using my links.